Today, I found an article titled “Major congenital malformations following prenatal exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines using population-based health data.” that originally appeared in the February, 2008 edition of Birth Defects Research. This insightful piece of research by TF Oberlander and a team of researchers from The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) provides more important insight into the link between exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs) and adverse birth outcomes such as defects like spina bifida, ventricular septal defect, cleft lip and cleft palate, and developmental disorders such as autism.
Evaluating “Population health data, maternal health, and prenatal prescription records” and comparing them to “neonatal records, representing all live births (British Columbia, Canada, N=119,547) during a 39-month period (1998-2001),” researchers studied the rate of major congenital anomalies (CA) and congenital heart disease (CHD).
Researchers found that “The risk for an ASD was higher following SRI monotherapy compared with no exposure, after adjustment for maternal covariates.” For clarity, “ASD” here stands for atrial septal defect, a heart defect.
Because so many women have used SSRIs during pregnancy unaware of the risk for heart defects and other adverse birth outcomes, a number of SSRI birth defect lawsuits have been filed.
If you or a loved one used SSRIs and gave birth to a child with a congenital malformation or who had an adverse birth outcome, your family may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of SSRI birth defect lawyers at the information provided below. We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
(855) 452 – 5529
Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.